Brooke talks to special guest, LeMondre Pough, who shares his journey of being born with spinal muscular atrophy, a progressive neurological disorder, and how his disability has evolved over time. He discusses his childhood experiences, the challenges he faced in the educational system, and the importance of advocating for oneself. LeMondre emphasises the concept of disability as a part of one's identity and the need for individuals to stand up for their needs, and delves into the significance of diversity, equity, and inclusion.

KEY TAKEAWAYS
LeMondre shares his experience of being born with a progressive neurological disorder, emphasising the evolution and changes he has experienced over time.
LeMondre co-founded Billion Strong, a global identity organisation focused on uniting and empowering the global community of people with disabilities to amplify their voices and create positive change.
There is great importance in providing individuals with what is best for them to empower and elevate their contributions.
We need to be an accomplice rather than just an ally. There's a growing need for individuals to actively engage and support marginalised communities in their fight for rights and equality.

BEST MOMENTS

"I always look at it as it is not the defining point of who I am, but it's certainly a defining point." 

"I often say that the arts gave me my voice." 

"I think it's important that we show up not only as allies, but as accomplices." 

"I love the harmony piece of it. I love the harmony piece of it." 

VALUABLE RESOURCES

https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/disabled-and-proud/id1621152878

HOST BIO

Disabled and Proud is the show that brings listeners a different perspective on disability. Each week this podcast highlights an awesome disabled guest speaking about their own disability; why they are proud to be disabled and why they are proud to be themselves. 

The conversations in this show will look at what challenges these amazing people face socially, mentally, physically and life in general. This show is raw, open, honest, funny, welcoming and educational. 

Disabled & Proud does exactly what it says on the tin! And whilst we are creating this space for disabled people to be unashamedly themselves, without the need to conform to society, this is also not about toxic positivity. This show will be shining a big, bright light on disability without it being “Paralympic or pity”. 

As you will hear disability is WHOLE, COMPLETE & PERFECT and whilst the topic of disability can be quite heavy - and we definitely don't shy away from the bad days - this podcast is also about having fun too! Our aim is to play a part in reclaiming the word disability - turning it from inadequacy to perfection!

Brooke talks to special guest, LeMondre Pough, who shares his journey of being born with spinal muscular atrophy, a progressive neurological disorder, and how his disability has evolved over time. He discusses his childhood experiences, the challenges he faced in the educational system, and the importance of advocating for oneself. LeMondre emphasises the concept of disability as a part of one's identity and the need for individuals to stand up for their needs, and delves into the significance of diversity, equity, and inclusion.
KEY TAKEAWAYS
<ul>
<li>LeMondre shares his experience of being born with a progressive neurological disorder, emphasising the evolution and changes he has experienced over time.</li>
<li>LeMondre co-founded Billion Strong, a global identity organisation focused on uniting and empowering the global community of people with disabilities to amplify their voices and create positive change.</li>
<li>There is great importance in providing individuals with what is best for them to empower and elevate their contributions.</li>
<li>We need to be an accomplice rather than just an ally. There's a growing need for individuals to actively engage and support marginalised communities in their fight for rights and equality.</li>
</ul>
BEST MOMENTS
"I always look at it as it is not the defining point of who I am, but it's certainly a defining point." 
"I often say that the arts gave me my voice." 
"I think it's important that we show up not only as allies, but as accomplices." 
"I love the harmony piece of it. I love the harmony piece of it." 
VALUABLE RESOURCES
<a href="https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/disabled-and-proud/id1621152878">https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/disabled-and-proud/id1621152878</a>
HOST BIO
Disabled and Proud is the show that brings listeners a different perspective on disability. Each week this podcast highlights an awesome disabled guest speaking about their own disability; why they are proud to be disabled and why they are proud to be themselves. 
The conversations in this show will look at what challenges these amazing people face socially, mentally, physically and life in general. This show is raw, open, honest, funny, welcoming and educational. 
Disabled &amp; Proud does exactly what it says on the tin! And whilst we are creating this space for disabled people to be unashamedly themselves, without the need to conform to society, this is also not about toxic positivity. This show will be shining a big, bright light on disability without it being “Paralympic or pity”. 
As you will hear disability is WHOLE, COMPLETE &amp; PERFECT and whilst the topic of disability can be quite heavy - and we definitely don't shy away from the bad days - this podcast is also about having fun too! Our aim is to play a part in reclaiming the word disability - turning it from inadequacy to perfection!

Disabled and Proud is the show brought to you by top adaptive athlete Brooke Millhouse bringing listeners a different perspective on disability, each week this podcast highlights an awesome disabled guest speaking about their own disability; why they are proud to be disabled and why they are proud to be themselves. 

The conversations in this show will look at what challenges these amazing people face socially, mentally, physically and life in general. This show is raw, open, honest, funny, welcoming and educational. This podcast is an opportunity to show the world that there is beauty in disability; it is not to be feared, gawked at, pitied but to be celebrated - this is the place to revel in the splendour of the disabled whilst learning and growing as a collective. 

Disabled & Proud does exactly what is says on the tin! And whilst we are creating this space for disabled people to be unashamedly themselves, without need to conform for society, this is also not about toxic positivity. This show will be shining a big, bright light on disability without it being “Paralympic or pity”. 

As you will hear disability is WHOLE, COMPLETE & PERFECT and whilst the topic of disability can be quite heavy - and we definitely don't shy away from the bad days - this podcast is also about having fun too! Our aim is to play a part in reclaiming the word disability - turning it from inadequacy to perfection!

Disabled and Proud

Embracing Identity and Unity with LaMondre Pough

Brooke meets Matt, a wheelchair user who shares his experiences of living with a spinal cord injury since the age of 15. The episode delves into Matt's journey of self-discovery and resilience, highlighting the challenges and triumphs he faced during his formative years.

Matt candidly discusses the impact of his disability on his career choices and the founding of his disability tech company, Sociability, an app that allows wheelchair users /disabled people to find out and rate whether a place is accessible.

The conversation touches on the misconceptions and barriers faced by disabled entrepreneurs, emphasising the importance of pushing boundaries and expectations within the disability space. 

KEY TAKEAWAYS

Matt stresses the fact that it's important to challenge stereotypes and misconceptions surrounding disability, emphasising the need for more positive and diverse narratives.

The discussion sheds light on the barriers faced by disabled entrepreneurs, particularly in the disability space, where there is a prevalent assumption that disability-related work is charity-based rather than profit-driven.

The growth of the business, Sociability, has not only provided a valuable service for disabled individuals but has also instilled confidence and opened up opportunities for users, showcasing the positive impact of accessibility solutions.

Matt's journey as an entrepreneur reflects the resilience and persistence required to navigate the ups and downs of running a business, especially during challenging times like the onset of the pandemic.

BEST MOMENTS

"I think having a spinal cord injury, you know, becoming disabled and then having to learn and live with that through that period has very much shaped like who I am today and how I think about things." 

"I think the disability space particularly is one that has a lot of barriers around it." 

"I love hearing other people talk about what they're really passionate about." - Host

VALUABLE RESOURCES

https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/disabled-and-proud/id1621152878

HOST BIO

Disabled and Proud is the show that brings listeners a different perspective on disability. Each week this podcast highlights an awesome disabled guest speaking about their own disability; why they are proud to be disabled and why they are proud to be themselves. 

The conversations in this show will look at what challenges these amazing people face socially, mentally, physically and life in general. This show is raw, open, honest, funny, welcoming and educational. 

Disabled & Proud does exactly what it says on the tin! And whilst we are creating this space for disabled people to be unashamedly themselves, without the need to conform to society, this is also not about toxic positivity. This show will be shining a big, bright light on disability without it being “Paralympic or pity”. 

As you will hear disability is WHOLE, COMPLETE & PERFECT and whilst the topic of disability can be quite heavy - and we definitely don't shy away from the bad days - this podcast is also about having fun too! Our aim is to play a part in reclaiming the word disability - turning it from inadequacy to perfection!

Brooke meets Matt, a wheelchair user who shares his experiences of living with a spinal cord injury since the age of 15. The episode delves into Matt's journey of self-discovery and resilience, highlighting the challenges and triumphs he faced during his formative years.
Matt candidly discusses the impact of his disability on his career choices and the founding of his disability tech company, Sociability, an app that allows wheelchair users /disabled people to find out and rate whether a place is accessible.
The conversation touches on the misconceptions and barriers faced by disabled entrepreneurs, emphasising the importance of pushing boundaries and expectations within the disability space. 
KEY TAKEAWAYS
Matt stresses the fact that it's important to challenge stereotypes and misconceptions surrounding disability, emphasising the need for more positive and diverse narratives.
The discussion sheds light on the barriers faced by disabled entrepreneurs, particularly in the disability space, where there is a prevalent assumption that disability-related work is charity-based rather than profit-driven.
The growth of the business, Sociability, has not only provided a valuable service for disabled individuals but has also instilled confidence and opened up opportunities for users, showcasing the positive impact of accessibility solutions.
Matt's journey as an entrepreneur reflects the resilience and persistence required to navigate the ups and downs of running a business, especially during challenging times like the onset of the pandemic.
BEST MOMENTS
"I think having a spinal cord injury, you know, becoming disabled and then having to learn and live with that through that period has very much shaped like who I am today and how I think about things." 
"I think the disability space particularly is one that has a lot of barriers around it." 
"I love hearing other people talk about what they're really passionate about." - Host
VALUABLE RESOURCES
<a href="https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/disabled-and-proud/id1621152878">https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/disabled-and-proud/id1621152878</a>
HOST BIO
Disabled and Proud is the show that brings listeners a different perspective on disability. Each week this podcast highlights an awesome disabled guest speaking about their own disability; why they are proud to be disabled and why they are proud to be themselves. 
The conversations in this show will look at what challenges these amazing people face socially, mentally, physically and life in general. This show is raw, open, honest, funny, welcoming and educational. 
Disabled &amp; Proud does exactly what it says on the tin! And whilst we are creating this space for disabled people to be unashamedly themselves, without the need to conform to society, this is also not about toxic positivity. This show will be shining a big, bright light on disability without it being “Paralympic or pity”. 
As you will hear disability is WHOLE, COMPLETE &amp; PERFECT and whilst the topic of disability can be quite heavy - and we definitely don't shy away from the bad days - this podcast is also about having fun too! Our aim is to play a part in reclaiming the word disability - turning it from inadequacy to perfection!

Building Confidence in Disability Tech - with Matt Pierri

Brooke joins a heartfelt and engaging conversation with members of People First, Keeley, Craven, Luke, Shannon, and others. The discussion delves into their experiences living with disabilities, highlighting their resilience, achievements, and the importance of support systems like People First.

The guests share personal stories, discuss misconceptions about disabilities, and express their pride in the work they do, including advocacy, podcasting, and community initiatives. They also demonstrate the strong bonds and sense of family within the group, emphasising the value of friendship and support in navigating life with disabilities. 

KEY TAKEAWAYS
The members of People First are proud of their work and accomplishments, emphasising the importance of positivity and self-confidence.
People First provides a supportive and inclusive environment for adults with learning disabilities, offering various activities and services such as advocacy, social nights, and podcasting.
The podcasting activities at People First have been impactful, featuring interviews with notable guests and providing a platform for self-expression and empowerment.
The organisation values professional boundaries and social connections, creating a sense of family and support among its members.
The members expressed gratitude for the opportunity to share their stories and experiences, highlighting the positive impact of collaboration and mutual support within the community.

BEST MOMENTS

"I find some new things quite difficult to learn, but sometimes I find it very useful. Most times I find it very useful and not too difficult." 

"It's important because everything for adults who come with learning disabilities Sometimes, there are those, I mean, I'm really good with hearing, and there are some that might not feel comfy about working in a big noisy establishment." 

"I like being in the broadcast room with the guys themselves. But for me, I like sitting behind the desk knowing I can make a change for other people and go home and tell other people what I've actually done day by day." 

"My motto is, always think positive." 

VALUABLE RESOURCES

https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/disabled-and-proud/id1621152878

HOST BIO

Disabled and Proud is the show that brings listeners a different perspective on disability. Each week this podcast highlights an awesome disabled guest speaking about their own disability; why they are proud to be disabled and why they are proud to be themselves. 

The conversations in this show will look at what challenges these amazing people face socially, mentally, physically and life in general. This show is raw, open, honest, funny, welcoming and educational. 

Disabled & Proud does exactly what it says on the tin! And whilst we are creating this space for disabled people to be unashamedly themselves, without the need to conform to society, this is also not about toxic positivity. This show will be shining a big, bright light on disability without it being “Paralympic or pity”. 

As you will hear disability is WHOLE, COMPLETE & PERFECT and whilst the topic of disability can be quite heavy - and we definitely don't shy away from the bad days - this podcast is also about having fun too! Our aim is to play a part in reclaiming the word disability - turning it from inadequacy to perfection!

Brooke joins a heartfelt and engaging conversation with members of People First, Keeley, Craven, Luke, Shannon, and others. The discussion delves into their experiences living with disabilities, highlighting their resilience, achievements, and the importance of support systems like People First.
The guests share personal stories, discuss misconceptions about disabilities, and express their pride in the work they do, including advocacy, podcasting, and community initiatives. They also demonstrate the strong bonds and sense of family within the group, emphasising the value of friendship and support in navigating life with disabilities. 
KEY TAKEAWAYS
<ul>
<li>The members of People First are proud of their work and accomplishments, emphasising the importance of positivity and self-confidence.</li>
<li>People First provides a supportive and inclusive environment for adults with learning disabilities, offering various activities and services such as advocacy, social nights, and podcasting.</li>
<li>The podcasting activities at People First have been impactful, featuring interviews with notable guests and providing a platform for self-expression and empowerment.</li>
<li>The organisation values professional boundaries and social connections, creating a sense of family and support among its members.</li>
<li>The members expressed gratitude for the opportunity to share their stories and experiences, highlighting the positive impact of collaboration and mutual support within the community.</li>
</ul>
BEST MOMENTS
"I find some new things quite difficult to learn, but sometimes I find it very useful. Most times I find it very useful and not too difficult." 
"It's important because everything for adults who come with learning disabilities Sometimes, there are those, I mean, I'm really good with hearing, and there are some that might not feel comfy about working in a big noisy establishment." 
"I like being in the broadcast room with the guys themselves. But for me, I like sitting behind the desk knowing I can make a change for other people and go home and tell other people what I've actually done day by day." 
"My motto is, always think positive." 
VALUABLE RESOURCES
<a href="https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/disabled-and-proud/id1621152878">https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/disabled-and-proud/id1621152878</a>
HOST BIO
Disabled and Proud is the show that brings listeners a different perspective on disability. Each week this podcast highlights an awesome disabled guest speaking about their own disability; why they are proud to be disabled and why they are proud to be themselves. 
The conversations in this show will look at what challenges these amazing people face socially, mentally, physically and life in general. This show is raw, open, honest, funny, welcoming and educational. 
Disabled &amp; Proud does exactly what it says on the tin! And whilst we are creating this space for disabled people to be unashamedly themselves, without the need to conform to society, this is also not about toxic positivity. This show will be shining a big, bright light on disability without it being “Paralympic or pity”. 
As you will hear disability is WHOLE, COMPLETE &amp; PERFECT and whilst the topic of disability can be quite heavy - and we definitely don't shy away from the bad days - this podcast is also about having fun too! Our aim is to play a part in reclaiming the word disability - turning it from inadequacy to perfection!

Empowering Voices: Conversations with People First

In this very special edition of thew show, Brooke takes you through a compilation of discussions from various disabled individuals sharing their personal experiences and perspectives on disability. The guests talk about their journeys to diagnosis, the challenges they faced, and the societal perceptions of disability. They touch on topics such as identity, ableism, intersectionality, and the pressure to be extraordinary as a disabled person.

The conversations highlight the importance of self-acceptance, challenging ableist norms, and the need for diverse representation within the disabled community. Through candid and introspective dialogues, the episode sheds light on the complexities and nuances of living with a disability, emphasising the value of individual stories and the diversity of experiences within the disabled community.

KEY TAKEAWAYS
The importance of normalising the term "disabled" and rejecting labels like "differently abled" or "less abled" is crucial.
The need to confront ableism both within oneself and in society is a crucial step towards understanding and acceptance.
The pressure on disabled individuals to be extraordinary or inspirational is discussed, emphasising the value of simply existing as a disabled person.
Recognise the value of personal stories and experiences of disability, regardless of whether they fit into traditional narratives of success or inspiration.

BEST MOMENTS

"I think ADHD, especially is like, the name of it just doesn't even kind of, it's not even accurate, really at all, like attention deficit hyperactivity disorder." 

"I think for me, and especially like in the last couple of years, just like reaching out to more people in the community and like, finding literature and books written by us, this community, I started to realise, okay, a lot of the language that I had that was such negative self-talk, so bad and down on myself, is not something that exists just naturally." 

"I love the fact that actually for you coming to terms with disability meant that you realised ableism was so embedded in society because I think a lot of people don't seem to realise that the vast majority of our views or our notions surrounding disability all actually boil down to ableism." 

"I think that, especially as Again, like I started to see that representation, like I'd see people on the Ellen show and like, you know, all these like talk shows and I'm like, okay, this is amazing."

VALUABLE RESOURCES

https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/disabled-and-proud/id1621152878

HOST BIO

Disabled and Proud is the show that brings listeners a different perspective on disability. Each week this podcast highlights an awesome disabled guest speaking about their own disability; why they are proud to be disabled and why they are proud to be themselves. 

The conversations in this show will look at what challenges these amazing people face socially, mentally, physically and life in general. This show is raw, open, honest, funny, welcoming and educational. 

Disabled & Proud does exactly what it says on the tin! And whilst we are creating this space for disabled people to be unashamedly themselves, without the need to conform to society, this is also not about toxic positivity. This show will be shining a big, bright light on disability without it being “Paralympic or pity”. 

As you will hear disability is WHOLE, COMPLETE & PERFECT and whilst the topic of disability can be quite heavy - and we definitely don't shy away from the bad days - this podcast is also about having fun too! Our aim is to play a part in reclaiming the word disability - turning it from inadequacy to perfection!

In this very special edition of thew show, Brooke takes you through a compilation of discussions from various disabled individuals sharing their personal experiences and perspectives on disability. The guests talk about their journeys to diagnosis, the challenges they faced, and the societal perceptions of disability. They touch on topics such as identity, ableism, intersectionality, and the pressure to be extraordinary as a disabled person.
The conversations highlight the importance of self-acceptance, challenging ableist norms, and the need for diverse representation within the disabled community. Through candid and introspective dialogues, the episode sheds light on the complexities and nuances of living with a disability, emphasising the value of individual stories and the diversity of experiences within the disabled community.
KEY TAKEAWAYS
<ul>
<li>The importance of normalising the term "disabled" and rejecting labels like "differently abled" or "less abled" is crucial.</li>
<li>The need to confront ableism both within oneself and in society is a crucial step towards understanding and acceptance.</li>
<li>The pressure on disabled individuals to be extraordinary or inspirational is discussed, emphasising the value of simply existing as a disabled person.</li>
<li>Recognise the value of personal stories and experiences of disability, regardless of whether they fit into traditional narratives of success or inspiration.</li>
</ul>
BEST MOMENTS
"I think ADHD, especially is like, the name of it just doesn't even kind of, it's not even accurate, really at all, like attention deficit hyperactivity disorder." 
"I think for me, and especially like in the last couple of years, just like reaching out to more people in the community and like, finding literature and books written by us, this community, I started to realise, okay, a lot of the language that I had that was such negative self-talk, so bad and down on myself, is not something that exists just naturally." 
"I love the fact that actually for you coming to terms with disability meant that you realised ableism was so embedded in society because I think a lot of people don't seem to realise that the vast majority of our views or our notions surrounding disability all actually boil down to ableism." 
"I think that, especially as Again, like I started to see that representation, like I'd see people on the Ellen show and like, you know, all these like talk shows and I'm like, okay, this is amazing."
VALUABLE RESOURCES
<a href="https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/disabled-and-proud/id1621152878">https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/disabled-and-proud/id1621152878</a>
HOST BIO
Disabled and Proud is the show that brings listeners a different perspective on disability. Each week this podcast highlights an awesome disabled guest speaking about their own disability; why they are proud to be disabled and why they are proud to be themselves. 
The conversations in this show will look at what challenges these amazing people face socially, mentally, physically and life in general. This show is raw, open, honest, funny, welcoming and educational. 
Disabled &amp; Proud does exactly what it says on the tin! And whilst we are creating this space for disabled people to be unashamedly themselves, without the need to conform to society, this is also not about toxic positivity. This show will be shining a big, bright light on disability without it being “Paralympic or pity”. 
As you will hear disability is WHOLE, COMPLETE &amp; PERFECT and whilst the topic of disability can be quite heavy - and we definitely don't shy away from the bad days - this podcast is also about having fun too! Our aim is to play a part in reclaiming the word disability - turning it from inadequacy to perfection!

Embracing Identity and Unity with LaMondre Pough

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